SECRET S BENDS: Episode Two - Meadows To Strathalbyn
Jam-packed with stunning ribbons of road that snake through grassy farmland and tight bushland, this route feels plucked from a European rally stage. Fast sweepers, double apex corners, and off-camber surprises make it a driver’s playground.
It’s hard to find many tourists; the roads are often quiet and cameras are few and far between.
Starting in the country town of Meadows, follow Bull Creek Road until you reach the uphill turn off for Paris Creek Road. Tucked quietly between the rolling paddocks of Strathalbyn and the quaint hills of Meadows, Paris Creek Road is one of South Australia’s most intoxicating driving routes — and somehow, it’s not often spoken about.
The first few kilometres curve gently through farmland, quiet and pastoral. But as the elevation slightly and invisibly picks up, the corners start folding in. Third gear becomes second, as you tighten your line and the scenery closes in.
Paris Creek doesn’t care for drama. There’s no hairpins or corners which require hard braking. The flowing, technical bends mean that even a slight input matters, especially at higher speeds where your momentum builds.
The road is lined with tall, ancient gums which lean over the tarmac, and the fences are old and uneven, yet beautiful in their imperfectioon. This is rural South Australia at its most authentic, even though you are a stones throw from suburbia. For about 15 uninterrupted kilometres, you are completely alone with the road as momentum builds and you find yourself tackling fast, flowing corners which feel as though they never end.
Along the route, there are no towns or servos. It’s just you, the car, and the occasional wandering dairy cow (watch out for the iconic Paris Creek Farms!)
However, just as quickly as it had began, the trees thin, the land flattens and Strathalbyn appears on the horizon.
Why It’s Special:
Direction: Best driven from south to north, starting at the Bull Creek junction. This will avoid having to deal with the (very) tight intersection when travelling in the alternate direction.
Character: Progressive flow, technical bends, no-stop rhythm pulled by gravity.
Traffic: Rarely any. Locals, farmers, maybe the odd motorbike on a Sunday.
Surface: Smooth tarmac, little debris, limited markings.
Warning: Farmland animals may be present. Fast corners can tighten unexpectedly.
Perfect Car for the Road:
For this road, you’ll prefer something nimble and light — a Lotus Elise, Alfa 4C, or GR86 with a short shifter and a good exhaust. But even a well-sorted hot hatch will reward you here more than a high-horsepower GT. The momentum alone will provide more than enough speed.
Best Time to Drive:
Mid-morning after the fog lifts, or late afternoon when the sun streaks through the gum trees like spotlights. Avoid late dusk, as kangaroos love it too.
Pair It With:
A warm-up on Bull Creek Road.
Post-drive coffee in a Cafe on High Street, before taking a stroll in the beautiful Strathalbyn Soldiers Memorial Park.
Optional return loop via Ashbourne, Meadows, and Macclesfield.
